Formula E Preview: Mahindra Racing

Ahead of the inaugural Formula E race weekend we're taking a look at the series' runners and riders. Next up, Indian squad Mahindra, who will field Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok.

Manhindra Racing enter Formula E with the hopes of all India resting on their shoulders. No pressure, chaps.

Their background is rather different to the rest of the field, as Mahindra's past experience is in motorcycle racing, notably the Moto3 World Championship. However their Formula E effort will be overseen by the crack Carlin Motorsport crew, which should ensure a very tightly-run ship.

On driving duties, the team have hired former HRT pairing Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok. In fact this is the third time the duo have lined up as team-mates: they also shared a garage at the iSport GP2 squad in 2008.

Senna is undoubtedly a potential race winner this season. He didn't really hit form in F1, in part because he never found a stable home, but he is blessed with a fair amount of natural talent. Remember, Bruno didn't start racing until 2004, but by 2008 he was runner-up in a very competitive GP2 field. You need a fair amount of ability to achieve that.

His Formula E testing times have been solid, too, and having spent the past two seasons dabbling with GT racing he's added some versatility to his CV. Bruno is also an intelligent, well-spoken young man; expect him to be among the leading pack this season.

Chandhok is also a smart and engaging lad, if just a touch less rapid than his team-mate. That was highlighted particularly in 2008, when Senna was GP2 runner-up and Karun only 10th.

Since his brief F1 spell in 2010 Chandhok has bounced around between GTs and prototype racing, contesting three Le Mans 24 Hours in the LMP2 class without really catching the eye.

He has been behind Senna throughout testing, not always by a great margin but consistently nonetheless. You would expect that to continue into the season, with Senna capable of a title tilt and Karun more likely to be picking up decent points here and there.

James Weeks

James is a freelance motorsport writer who has covered international and domestic championships in print and for the web. He has reported from the British Grand Prix and Le Mans 24 Hours and forgotten more about Formula 1 than was worth knowing in the first place.